Improvement in head-rests for corpses



C. D. 'BLACHFORD.

HEAD RESTS'FOR CORPSES.

' ,17o,zz4, Patented Nov.23,1875.

Illuunununuui hl enhw fiimss asv N. PEIERS, PNOTO-UTHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. Dv C4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES 1). BLAGHFORD, or HAMILTON, CANADA.

IMPROVEMENT IN HEAD-RESTS' FOR CORPSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent ITO-170,224, dated November 23, 1875; application filed August 19,1875.

To all whom it may concern."

Be it known that I, CHARLES DANIEL BLAcHFoRD, of the city of Hamilton, in the county of Wentworth, Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Head-Rest and Chin-Support for Laying Out Corpses; and I do hereby declare that the following is, a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same.

Figure 1 is a top view of the device. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same with a head resting thereon.

The invention relates to a simple, convenient, and adjustable device for supporting the head of a corpse without a pillow, and also supporting the chin and keeping it in its place while the body is being laid out on a laying-out board and its object is to allow the head to cool as quickly as possible, and keep it so, by removing all warm substances from it, as pillows, cloths, &c.,'be-

sides keeping the jaws and chin up to their natural position without the use of a cloth or handkerchief being tied around the head, which disfigures the features and puts them out of their proper shape.

The head-rest is adjustable, and can be adjusted to any desired height, and fixed there by thumb-screws. The chin-support is also adjusted by a strap and buckle, to suit different-sized heads.

By reference to the annexeddrawin g it will be seen that A is the base of a stationary stand, secured to aboard, A. The center portion is arched, and contains an opening, D. A perpendicular bar, 0, is made to pass through the said opening. To the upper part of said bar is secured the head-rest B, composed of two curved pieces of wood or metal.

The rear piece is secured to the frontone at its center, and its outer end has an enlargement with an opening, G, through it. An adjustable bar, F, passes through said opening, and also through an opening, J, in the board A. At the top of said bar is affixed a hoop, E, to which are attached chin straps L L.

Said straps are for passing under the chinsupport M, which is a curved plate of any desired material, placed under the chin and held there by means of said straps pressing upon it, so that nothing touches the face only a small portion of the aforesaid plate. A small hole, 0, is cut through the'plate for one ofv the straps to pass through to attach it to the device when it is not in use. The extended circle E is made to extend out from the head, so that no part of it will touch the head, and no part of the chin-straps touch the face 5' consequently no mark or impression is made on the face of a corpse, as would be the case by compression of the face by a handkerchief or bandage, 85c.

A free circulation of air is allowed to surround the head and face, and the features retain their natural appearance.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to I secure by Letters Patent, is-

The combination of the head-rest A B O, adjusted by thumb-screw I, with the chinsupport E F, adjusted by the thumb-screw H', and the chin-straps L, attached .to-hoop E, for

chin-plate M, all arranged substantially as and for the purpose specified.

Dated at Hamilton, Canada, this 14th day I of June, A. D. 1875.

CHARLES DANIEL BLAOHFORD. Signed in the'presence of- WM. BRUCE, GEO. E. LAMSDEN. 

